How we are making a difference
Our Story
We created our non-profit to provide an innovative solution to the nation’s fastest growing health care problem.
Our Principals
We believe in taking a whole-person approach to prevention, uplifting the person while reducing the probability of developing disease.
Our Focus
We change the focus of nutrition education from information to application and empower people to become the solution to the diabetes epidemic in their communities.
“If diabetes is an epidemic, we want to create a “ripple effect” that propels prevention forward – from a person, to their family, and through their community.”
Meet The Team
Marlayna Bollinger
Founder and Executive Director
Since 2002, Marlayna has used her expertise as a diabetes prevention advocate and marketing/communication strategist to help close the health disparities gap in high- risk populations.
Barbara Gesell
Diabetes Prevention Program Director
Using her experience as a Global Business Planner, Barbara oversees the implementation of our on-site diabetes prevention programs and CDC-based lifestyle coach certification classes.
Emily Barr
Director of Nutrition Services
Emily Barr MS, RD, CSP, CLEC has been the head dietitian for the Skinny Gene Project since its inception. She has been a specialist in metabolic disorders since 2003 and is now a published author.
Meet The Board
Dr. Jesse Moss Jr.
Medical Advisory Team / Medical Director
Jesse Moss Jr. M.D., F.A.C.S., P.A. is a retired Lieutenant Colonel that was awarded the 2005 National Medical Association Physician of the Year award, served as the 2011 President of the Bexar County Medical Society (BCMS) and currently is a Delegate for the Texas Medical Association (TMA) and on the Legislative Committee for the TMA.
Elissa Ritt, MAS, Clinical Research
Medical Advisory Team / Clinical Research
Elissa is a biotechnology professional with over 20 years of experience. She holds a master’s degree in clinical research and is a doctoral candidate in health science. Her current research includes the improvement of clinical outcomes in neuromuscular disease patients who are treated with intravenous immunoglobulin.
Kimberly Keener, RN
Medical Advisory Team / RN Relations
Kimberly has over 13 year in the healthcare industry. After 7 years in biomedical research at the Salk Institute, she joined trauma team in the ER at Sharp Grossmont Hospital.
Lindsay Martin
Founding Board Member / NPO Advisor
Lindsay has spent 12 of the 16 years she has been in the non-profit industry as a Wish Coordinator and Director of Program Services at the Make A Wish Foundation.
Dr. Aarti Ivanic
Director of Marketing and Consumer Behavior
Dr. Ivanic is a professor of Marketing at the University of San Diego. She has published numerous papers on the social and psychological factors that impact purchasing decisions and lifestyle behaviors.
Alicia Gonzalez
Volunteer and Engagement Advisor
Alicia has her Masters in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and over 23 years of extensive experience in project management, organizational development, process improvement, intercompany communication and HR.
Elizabeth King
Education Advisor
Elizabeth has over 12 years experience in the education system. While being on faculty on both High Schools and Colleges, she has been instrumental in curriculum development and implementation.
D'Lana Dismuke
Branding/Marketing Advisor
D’Lana is a branding and marketing specialist with over 15 years of experience working with multi-billion clients at Starcom Worldwide, Omnicom, AOL, and Microsoft